Statewide DNR vote shows most hunters support new dog rules for wolf hunts

Submitted: 04/09/2013

Madison - A statewide vote finds a majority of Wisconsin outdoorsmen support the Department of Natural Resources' proposed new rules for using dogs to hunt wolves.

The DNR released vote results Tuesday. The Conservation Congress, a group of influential sportsmen, asked thousands of people who attended annual spring hearings whether they're behind the agency's proposed rules limiting the number of dogs wolf hunters can use and the training season.

The vote is advisory only.
Under the regulations, hunters would be allowed to train dogs on wolves during daylight hours during the wolf season and the month of March. The rules also would require each dog to have identification.

A group of humane societies filed a lawsuit in August alleging Wisconsin wildlife officials failed to impose any restrictions on training dogs on wolves.